For the second time in a decade, North Chicago has been named one of America’s top small cities for entrepreneurship in a new study.
Personal finance company WalletHub released its 2024 study on the best and worst small cities to start a business earlier this week.
North Chicago ranks among the nation’s best small cities for entrepreneurship. This is the second time in the past 10 years that the city has been ranked in this ranking.
Hanover Park, Illinois, was the only other small city defined as having a population of 25,000 to 100,000 to rank higher than North Chicago.
North Chicago city officials say the city has a mature commercial landscape but still has “plenty of room for growth.”
“Entrepreneurs can enjoy the best of both worlds by enjoying the advantages of a smaller city along with proximity to a larger city and surrounding suburbs,” city officials said.
According to WalletHub, the study used three main aspects: business environment, access to resources, and business costs.
“Creating a positive environment for new businesses to grow requires a deliberate approach to meeting the needs of small businesses,” said North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham.
City officials say North Chicago’s approach has steadily increased business interest.
They touted recent plans announced by DiveHeart, a nonprofit organization, to build the world’s deepest treatment pool in North Chicago.
